POSTGAME NOTES: Will Lincecum make his next start? The Giants are about to have that discussion

Bruce Bochy knew the question was coming. He wasn’t ready to answer it. Will Tim Lincecum start next Thursday against the Colorado Rockies?

“These are things we’ll talk about later,” Bochy said. “Right now, I prefer to talk to the player, the staff and everybody else … I prefer, instead of going through the papers here, to go talk about it internally.”

He won’t go through the web, either. Or the blogs or Twitter. For tonight, we’re left with speculation. Yusmeiro Petit threw an armful of logs on the fire, pitching 4 1/3 perfect innings to extend a streak that quietly snuck up on all of us. He has retired 38 straight and is within seven of Mark Buehrle’s MLB record. The problem would seem to be that Petit has really struggled as a starter, posting a 6.32 ERA in six spot starts. But Bochy doesn’t think that’s too big an issue.

“It’s a small sample size,” Bochy said. “We’ll discuss all that, everything – and we’ll see what the best option is here.”

Advertisement

Lincecum was as honest as ever, saying his start was, “Pretty horses—. Yeah, it was just horses—.”

This is partly mechanical, but that’s not the only issue.

“I feel like, to be honest with you, I’ve been kind of over thinking it a little bit too much,” he said. “You can go out there and think yourself through an outing and not be successful just because you’re not allowing yourself to do it. Your brain is in the way and that’s kind of where I’m at right now. My head is getting in the way of me.”

That’s leading to some awful pitches. Against a team like the Nationals, that’ll lead to a short day. With runners on the corners in the first, Jayson Werth smoked this 89 mph fastball into right field …

An inning later, another cookie for Werth: 88 mph this time and right down the pipe …

An inning later, Lincecum put one in there at 86 mph for Asdrubal Cabrera, who went the opposite way …

There’s much more on Lincecum in the game story (updated soon). You can poke and prod at the numbers or his mechanics or his mindset, but it’s hard to zoom in on one thing. Lincecum seems to understand that, and he knows that you can’t continue that way. Asked if he missed the rapport he established with Hector Sanchez, Lincecum complimented his current catchers.

“I think,” he said. “The problem is me right now.”

— Not a whole lot else to talk about tonight, but while we’re screen-grabbing, whaaaat the hell?!?!

Post navigation

Not a lot of help on the side of the local scribs either on this one. Honestly a bit deceiving in using terminology like “mechanical issues” and “over thinking,” and to an extent a bit dysfunctional and irresponsible. All that does is make the fandom crown believe that TL will “eventually figure it out.” When in reality the past 2.5 years he has been, and will continue to be, one of the worst starters in the NL and all of MLB. The numbers do not lie as I like to always point out. Two no hitters make fanboys think he can “turn the corner.” In reality its all smoke and mirrors. All TL will do is be an anchor to the ship and slow it down. Time for the inevitable transfer to the pen. Just because he is getting paid like a starter, does not guarantee starter quality results.

carmot

Wow. Didn’t Pence do one of those early in the year also? I seem to recall. Massive props to Yusmeiro Petit for his continued good works. He’s been nails twice in three days!?! I hoped Pence and Morse could show up today; Pence had a HR and Morse worked to kill two potential rallies.

Whatever it is w/ LIncecum, it doesn’t look like it’s solely mechanical. Looks like he misplaced his brain a bit and just left a big plate of cookies up there at home. I’m sure Susac isn’t taking this well. He can’t be. KC was brutal, this was brutal, too. Defense and all that needs to sharpen up, or playoffs won’t be calling for our beloved Giants.

Big welcome upcoming for Chris Heston? Or Clayton Blackburn? Control and steadiness, or more stuff and inexperience? Pick one.

Vogelstrong, we need you at your finest. You’ve stepped up when your name has been called upon in big moments. Get after it tomorrow. Dream big. Dream GIANT.

Efrain

oh Carmot you are such a bore with your cheerleader schtick……

livefreerdi

Sure seemed like a lot of the same pitches called for in the same place. Off speed and low. Maybe it just looked that way, but no one was stood up, that I recall.

carmot

Yeah, me wanting Heston or Blackburn… to replace Timmy’s next start. Lincecum has given up 6 runs in three of his last six starts, and none lasted five innings. Call it, or me, whatever you like I suppose.

Leo the Lip

Classic Efrain below. When will he attack Matthew or Lefty for being optimisic fans also.
He’s the master
He and Woj

Leo the Lip

My good how did SF ever beat the Nats and that crafty lefty on Fri nite.
Must have been lucky.
Clap
Clap

Efrain

all im saying is that the dream big dream giant line gets lost with facts. 1) if giants are going to battle for PO spot they have to have the best 5 guys out there to get them there, TL is NOT one of them. 2) Is it an internal solution? Petit? CH? Who knows. 3) Crazy as it sounds but a 4 man rotation last month of season?

Leo the Lip

I looked in Websters under “Bore” and your photo was attached.

Efrain

damn, you win the “bore” trophy tonight

Leo the Lip

Nothing you said made sense

Efrain

LOL i figured you had to look up the word……. what a DA

Efrain

LOL i figured you had to look up the word……. what a DA

carmot

Yeah, good plan. We have 11 consecutive game days and 12 games to play on those. A 4-man rotation is great, if one hasn’t gotten past 2nd grade math. Otherwise, it doesn’t quite work.

But thanks for not letting anything get lost in facts.

carmot

Yeah, good plan. We have 11 consecutive game days and 12 games to play on those. A 4-man rotation is great, if one hasn’t gotten past 2nd grade math. Otherwise, it doesn’t quite work.

But thanks for not letting anything get lost in facts.

Efrain

to an ignoramus it would not, look it up…..

Efrain

to an ignoramus it would not, look it up…..

Efrain

I know it’s not ideal but a few teams have utilized it in the past. If no solution what to do? Maybe one of the farm hands cans at least get you into 5th inning, but the pen will be taxed by end of year…

Efrain

I know it’s not ideal but a few teams have utilized it in the past. If no solution what to do? Maybe one of the farm hands cans at least get you into 5th inning, but the pen will be taxed by end of year…

Efrain

optimistic and idiots are not synonymous….

BALDHEADSLIK1

Paying a 6th starter 17 mil for this performance is so hilarious and they knew he was bad when he signed the contract.

DrLefty

He’s pretty crafty, I guess–but Fister’s not a lefty. 🙂

DrLefty

Yes, but it is what it is now. Just like with Zito, that money is spent. And amazingly enough, it’s almost September and the Giants are in the hunt for a playoff spot. Maybe you give Timmy one more shot–he’s so much better at home, and the Rox are so bad–but you can’t keep running him out there in September like this.

winebaroness27

I say give him one more home start….
And if he struggles again, that’s it..
Can’t stink in Sept….

Efrain

don’t you honestly think he’s had enough shots already, I mean how many are you thinking? geesh!

DrLefty

You know what his losing streak is? One in a row. He won his last start. You know what his record is? 10-9. The Giants have won more Lincecum starts than they’ve lost this year, and he’s a different guy at home.

I wouldn’t have a problem with giving Petit or Heston a shot, but if I were betting, Timmy takes that next start at AT & T against the Rockies.

Efrain

those numbers are deceiving at best and as an educated person, you know the odds are not in his favor.

DrLefty

That is really remarkable about Petit’s streak. I didn’t see his 4.1 innings today–I took a nap when it got to 6-2–but I saw his two innings in Chicago, and he looked naaasty. Bochy’s right about the SSS with Petit’s starts. It was almost this time last year that he came one strike from pitching a perfect game, and that wasn’t his only good start down the stretch, either.

DrLefty

His home-road splits are dramatically different this year, but as to the eye test, I agree with you. He hasn’t looked good at all since the All-Star break. Really not one good start.

Ryan

Maybe I’m reading the schedule wrong, but it looks like Lincecum would draw the Rockies twice in a row then the DBacks twice in a row. That’s totally doable. Give him the ball. You’re already giving him the money. There was that stretch this year when he was earning the coin and winning games and making the fans happy and making Sabean not look so bad. Maybe he’s got another decent stretch in him. Maybe baby, don’t call me maybe.

Ryan

Heard on Marty that the P coaches tinkered with his arm slot and maybe that’s at the heart of all this nastiness.

DrLefty

Ah. Wouldn’t it be something if the fifth starter answer for next year is right there under our noses?

What are your thoughts about Chris Heston’s fine season? Very impressive after his disastrous 2013.

Ryan

Another tight game at the O.Radio mode. This thing could go down to the wire. A’s could use a sweep. Angels could use Bartolo Colon. Go A’s!

DrLefty

If the A’s win too much this weekend, they can’t block the Angels getting Colon, right? Hmmm.

DrLefty

Especially with no Goldy, no Tulo, no CarGo, no Prado, no Parra…

Ryan

might not have had to trade for Peavy but I guess that had to in case Lincecum bottomed out.

Heston’s a good pitcher. Saw him duel with Dice K earlier this summer. Effective when keeps the sinker down. Maybe some parallels with Petit who is by no means a stuff pitcher.

Miss my guy Esky who had a terrible start tonight. Terrible.

Ryan

Maybe Angels tank so A’s can’t block. Nah, they don’t play that.

Eleuthero

W-L records are very deceiving, hence the term “Cained”. If Hudson had Lincecum’s run support this year he’d be like 13-3. I know you’re a big Timmy fan, Lefty, but away from home he’s like a single-A pitcher going against the 1927 Yankees. The Rockies, for all their problems, can actually hit so, home or not, I wouldn’t want to try to beat them 6-5.

DrLefty

Strat did OK tonight. No runs in four innings and came out after 82 pitches. Pitch count? Or…hope he’s OK?

I say sign Vogey or Peavy back, and keep Petit. Heston, Blackburn, and Blach tucked in Fresno for depth. Assuming Cain comes back healthy, that gives you five starters (including Lincecum), Petit at the ready, and three guys in AAA in case of injuries or whatever. That’s more depth than they’ve had since 2011.

carmot

Pretty much just make sure he doesn’t face LAD. We don’t need to watch Dee Gordon treat it like a track met. SD, we can bet he’ll face. COL and ARI, who knows. But I’m in support of seeing if we have a #5 starter in the waiting for 2015 and beyond.

Petit has already been on a much better than “decent stretch” if you’ve been following along. Why mess with that when you’d need to replace his role- that he’s been so good at. I don’t understand why Petit should get starts. We need a guy that can give 3-5 innings twice in 4 days. He’s been awesome at that.

Eleuthero

I agree with you C. but remember that for most of MLB history rotations were 4-man, not 5. There are a lot of coffeehouse debates about athletes from “back then” versus right now. I don’t know exactly where I stand in this debate but it sure seems like starting pitchers are wussies these days. Extra day of rest due to 5-man rotations, the 100-pitch limit, the almost complete absence of the complete game. And don’t even get me started on hitters. In the new post-PED era the RBIs and HRs are retreating to 1980s levels.

Ryan

Rotation and depth sounds just okay. Maybe Cain comes back a new man.

DrLefty

Colon’s on waivers right this minute. It’s only a couple days for this process, right? All the Angels have to do is lose tonight, and…

DrLefty

I bet he does. He only turns 30 in October. This is more rest than he’s had in 8 years, and he won’t be pitching through inflammation from those bone chips. Hopefully he’s the stud #2 starter we expected this year.

Matthew

Careful, Lefty…Efrain called me a pea brain for quoting 10-9, 4.60 ERA…but I’m with you. I think he gets the start. I get how W-L are not the best indicator…but 2 months ago, this guy had a 5 start stretch that was the best in the majors.

Michael Scott

I don’t that players would ever respect a manager who would tank a game intentionally.

Eleuthero

Still, I prefer the guy whose ERA is 1.04 runs/game lower and that’s Petit. Colorado can’t pitch but they can hit. AZ without Goldy might be a go for Timmy but I’m in favor of order over confusion so if I’m management, Timmy and Petit now swap roles for the duration.

carmot

Can’t stash Petit, he’s already out of options. I understand your support for Vogey, but I hope we find somebody that has a ceiling of a #2 or #3 for our rotation. Much like going into this season, we really hoped for the “if’s” to all sort out in our favor. Question marks at 3, 4, and 5 spots. We struck gold on Huddy, Vogey has been strong enough to be a #4. Timmy shouldn’t be our #5.

A year older all around.
Bum, Cain, Huddy, Vogey/Peavy, Lincecum doesn’t appear strong enough for my liking. Maybe Blackburn can be stronger enough to push Timmy out (to whatever; bullpen or DFA, I dunno). But that’s a lot of “if’s” once again. Counting on health for the aging arms, and expecting Timmy to find it. Cain to be back strong… Yikes, I’m not so sure. YMMV.

This would be where Nick Kingham defines our solution IMO.

DrLefty

Speaking of prospects, Ray “hit 102 MPH this year” Black was promoted to San Jose…and picked up the win in relief in his first game for them tonight.

Matthew

Apparently, I am a pea brain. I would take any and all mental challenges against the young man. If I’m a pea…is he a grain of sand?

DrLefty

No, I meant they keep Petit in the bullpen as the long man…or maybe let him compete for the fifth starter job.

As for Peavy and/or Vogey, yeah, I’d like James Shields, too, but if they’re going all in to sign Pablo, that’s that. No expensive reinforcements for the rotation. Even with Panik likely solving the 2B problem and filling Romo’s spot internally (Kontos), they still need a LF, too.

DrLefty

I am a big Timmy fan, but despite what you think, I’m neither blind nor stupid, and I do want the Giants to at least make the wild card game. I’d be willing to see one more start at home–remember, they don’t have Tulo or CarGo anymore–but if that’s a disaster again, time to go a different direction.

carmot

Eleuthero (from below): I’ve got my own ideas about the 5-man rotation vs. 4-man. I think part of the injury rate is due to several pitching factors all being right at ‘borderlines.’ Just a theory, I don’t have any evidence to support this.

– 100 pitch count might not be enough to build ligament/tendon strength and endurance, but not little enough to alleviate stress on same joints.
– icing after starts changes natural circulation and blood flow- the natural processes of recovery. Perhaps I lean *a bit* towards Chris Lincecum’s theory about this. I dunno, but maybe not until 4 hours after finishing or something?
– 5th day starts, again, may not offer enough recovery time to fully heal joint stress. But not short enough (like a 4-man) to build stronger.

If each factor above is on some ‘medical borderline,’ would it benefit to move the line? 125 pitches, or 6th day start, or different ice cycles. I don’t know. Other things like warm-ups between innings and pitching out of the stretch w/ varied mechanics and more velo/more break on pitches can surely be contributing factors… Like the prevalence of sliders, 2-seamers, and change ups.

Any thoughts?

livefreerdi

I would ask Mike Marshall

Eleuthero

Confucius’ mathematician say “Beware of men who cherrypick time periods”. It’s this simple: If Timmy’s ERA stays where it is for his last starts this year, his three-year ERA will be 4.73. In 2012, Zito was 15-8 with a 4.13 ERA. As a team ERA in 2012, a 4.13 would have placed you 11th in the NL. Not good but he was “anti-Cained”. What do you think 4.73 would have placed you at? Dead last. This year? Second-to-last. Sorry Matthew, but with Petit’s ERA at 3.60 and dropping it’s a no-brainer to me in a pennant race.

Michael Scott

How young pitchers train now is much different than in Marshall’s day.

Surf Maui

Just got back from dinner in DC. Have we sent Panik back to Fresno for hitting into two double plays today? Just kidding.
As Rich Aurillia said this morning, its the second day where the exhaution sets in. I can vouch for that. I’m not even playing and I’m tired after sitting through now more than seven hours of rain delays and 5 games over the past five days with a flight in between.But then again–hard it is to believe I’m not in my twenties either.
On the way to the ballpark today there was an open seat next to me on the Subway. I kept hoping for a small person to sit next to me, but instead I got one of the largest human beings in the universe as a seat mate. I’m talking two seat belt extenders large, enough so that Pablo at his heaviest would look like his child. As it turned out he also ran into me (figuratively speaking) after the game and proceeded to lecture me that the Giants mistake was Pence hitting the home run off of Gonzalez because that just made him made abgry so he shut him out the rest of the way–I guess ignoring the fact that the Giants outhit the Nats and twice had 2 runners on when a timely base hit would have made the game close.

pacman68

Timmy and Susac are not gelling. Timmy takes a long time to get comfortable with a new catcher. With that said. Next year … he should move to the bullpen. He’s already being paid.

livefreerdi

That’s the point. Have training methods improved? You would think so, but ….

Matthew

All stats seem to be cherry picked. Look, Tim is absolutely struggling, and you make a strong argument that he shouldn’t start. I can’t say there are that many compelling current reasons to keep him starting. But, I admit to believing it’s still in him. Perhaps not analytical, yet his stretch in June proves it is still right there.

Eleuthero

I get what you’re saying but in a tight WC race you simply pitch the guy with 1.04 less runs/game given up. Any decision can backfire as could making Petit the 5th starter but management gets paid for winning and for being objective about what gives you that best chance at winning. Timmy as a spot starter against SD. Sure!! If the Rocks and the Snakes are bad, well, the data says they’ll be one run worse off with Petit starting.

carmot

I don’t want James Shields. Not at all. I want us to trade for somebody younger, cheaper, awesome, or the potential of awesomeness. Damien Magnifico, maybe. Nick Kingham, absolutely. Sabean needs to find a team that we can match up well with. Our pitching development hasn’t really been up to snuff for a while, time for them to face it- after just trading away some of the better prospects we had.

I know, the irony is NYM have a heap of young arms… I KNOW.

Matthew

Timmy may not make it easy on catchers, but it saw many examples of really poor mechanics out of Susac today that I hadn’t noticed before….

Surf Maui

And how about the Giants bullpen. There was not a Nats baserunner after Lincecum left the game. And Pettit pitched two perfect lights out innings versus the Cubs. I’m not readyto give up on Timmy. The walks and Pablos error (first in more than 70 games) killed him. Two of his three walks scored, and the error let in two more runs. . From where I was sitting it looked like the ump was squezing him, but I cantt tell. .
So let’s end my road trip with a win. The weather for tomorrow looks nice for a change. Rats I didnt bring sun screen.

pacman68

That’s the problem with Timmy though. You have to play air tight or it’s over.

Surf Maui

If you cant pitch–especially in the first inning– the bullpen is not a viable option. Memories of the 2012 post season are misplaced. Exactly what will the bullpen do for him (or us)?

pacman68

I think he over thinks. He needs to pace himself. If 2012 taught us anything. Timmy is the best when he comes in and just let’s his freak fly!! Unhittable when he let’s it all hang out.

Ryan

This makes sense. He’s not a finished product. When all is said and done, he may only be average defensively, but plus with the bat.

Eleuthero

I think everyone knows the streaky nature of hitting and pitching. However, an analysis over a 2.77 year period kind of smooths out the peaks and valleys. This WC race looks like it’s going right down to the wire with the Cards, Pirates, Braves, and G’s all vying for two spots. You’re an astute guy and you know baseball is a funny game and the #2 WC team can win it all and the #2 WC team might get that spot by one game. I simply want to go with the best performer right now. We all love Timmy but we love the Giants even more.

Ryan

Trade Belt for a young pitcher?

carmot

There was more than this focus on Pablo’s error. Pence misplayed one in the corner that put Timmy in a tight spot early. Pagan’s bobble was terrible and inexcusable. Susac *maybe* could’ve handled one or two pitches better- and help build some confidence that Timmy could throw anything he needed to.

That’s not even getting into the offense, as you mention. I think of those two opportunities that Morse had. Those were brutal, Panik had to lead off the following inning both times. And Panik had a .550 batting average for the week coming into the game today. *sigh*

Hope tomorrow is enjoyable. Grab some rest. Enjoy D.C. Cheers.

carmot

Thanks, I’m in agreement with you on this. But with very few others, it seems.

pacman68

Just to let you guys know. This blog is freaking awesome. It’s such a great escape from work and other things. I really look forward to reading everyone’s opinions and what the Giants should do. When I work 16 hour days. It’s nice to detox and talk baseball. Keeps me sane.

carmot

13 innings, that’s the basis you are using. From two years ago. Our opinions differ on this.

BALDHEADSLIK1

So true

The Oracle

Lincecum is a classy guy. He’s not a whiner or complainer. He’s also just not a very good pitcher anymore, at least not a starting pitcher. What I’m wondering is, if things don’t get any better for him, what kind of contract will he get after next season? If he doesn’t show improvement, will he even be able to find a Major League deal? Or would he only be able to sign a Minor League contract and have to impress someone to make a Big League roster?

pacman68

yes… I think Timmy over thinks. In the back of his mind … he is always thinking that I have to pace myself. I’m not a young buck anymore with a 95 mph fastball. So when something goes wrong. An error or misplay. He starts to unravel. I know it’s crazy but if the Giants make the playoffs. He will be money out of the pen. And don’t think Bochy won’t use him like that again.

KlutchUp

Lincecum is garbage against all teams not named padres.

pacman68

The league is pitching starved. Someone will give him a deal. If freaking Brad Penny can start. Someone will throw a little coin at Timbo.

KlutchUp

They try to silence me, but they can’t. You can’t handle the truth. Lincecum is garbage. Belt is a strikeout machine. Hacktor is garbage. Arias is garbage.

DrLefty

You guys both make good points. The defense was sloppy. Rich Aurilia said today would be the hangover game from all the rain delays and travel and sleep deprivation, so let’s chalk it up to that and get the series tomorrow. Pretty sure Vogey’s feeling chainsaw angry.

KlutchUp

Mike Scott, is texting Alex right now.

KlutchUp

I was banned for no reason. Calling a cat the P word is not a violation of the terms of use

Eleuthero

After three bad years, if I’m management in a wildcard race with 4 nearly equal contenders, I stop going with “loyalty” and start going with a simple eye test. It’s very likely that the WC race is going down to the last weekend. I wouldn’t want to be aced out by a game because Timmy is now only hitting 88 on the radar gun with no movement.

carmot

I’ve wondered. But it would need to be a heckuva pitcher to give up offense. We don’t have enough offense already. Marisnick helped net Cosart, Belt should fetch somebody pretty dang awesome. Package like Matos was… for Belt, Blach and Mejia/Marte? For whom? Aaron Sanchez or Daniel Norris from TOR? Something like that, may-be…

I’m in no hurry to trade Belt. But something creative has got to be done. And it takes big talent to get big talent, if that’s what we’re after. Or eating some big contract as an add-in for our troubles of getting the guy we want.

Ryan

Will sentimentality persuade Sabean again?

KlutchUp

Have you called Alex yet?

Ryan

now you’re thinking

KlutchUp

It’s funny reading all these negative Lincecum posts. When he was dealing 2 months ago, I said he was still garbage. You guys defended him. Today I read those same people bashing Lincecum

KlutchUp

FYI that Ruben dude was not TRK

DrLefty

Good dinner? Last time I was in DC was when Jonathan Sanchez pitched his no-hitter in 2009. I listened to the game on my phone app and watched the top of the ninth on ESPN in my hotel room. It was after 1 a.m. and I had to work the next day!

Anyway, I had a couple of great meals in Georgetown on that trip–one in a little French bistro (crepes, wine, etc.) and the other in a good Italian place. Also a nice place right off campus at American University (that’s where my workshop was).

Michael Scott

I mean pitch limits from 6 to 18 YO.

Surf Maui

I just read the game story, and as bad as Timmy was today, he manned up, made no excuses and took responsibility for letting the team down. Also accepted that he will do what’s best for the team. He is a competitor and I for one think that he will come out of this funk. That is not just wishful thinking. It is recognition that unless there is something wrong real competitors find a way to win,. My money (and a lot of the Giants’) is on Timmy. Go get’em.

carmot

I would’ve LOVED for us to land Cosart.
I hadn’t any idea he was even available. I think he’s primed for an *excellent* 2015. We’ll see. His arm is right on schedule to eat the innings and be stretched out the whole way. He’s got the stuff to make it possible. Dang. (But they didn’t need Belt). (But Belt to Texas, would be a cool story). Oh well.

Bapah

Here we go again. if you think my assessment was wrong about his overthinking his starts, why don’t you read what he said above. He’s perfect for relief!“I feel like, to be honest with you, I’ve been kind of over thinking it a
little bit too much,” he said. “You can go out there and think yourself
through an outing and not be successful just because you’re not
allowing yourself to do it. Your brain is in the way and that’s kind of
where I’m at right now. My head is getting in the way of me.”

Bapah

The above is for you too.

paul in p.v.

That’s because you are garbage.

Surf Maui

I am an AU alumni–though they’re not happy that I say that. Ate dinner at the Palm drowning my sorrow over the loss (and according to my subway seatmate angering Gonzalez) Actually, we were not that far away today. Between the passed ball or wilds pitch –they’re not big on announcing scoring here- and Pablo’s error (to be fair wet ball) we were really only a base hit away or two from winning this game.

carmot

I’ll say that Vogey has a chance to spin a gem any time he hits the hill. He’s done it in bunches. Once in a while he spits up something awful, but he’s been nails more often than not. If score is based on ‘compete level’ he would never lose.

carmot

Gee thanks. I already had read that, you know? Trying to make me re-read it doesn’t alter my opinion. You feel like you have to be right, so sure. You’re right. I’m wrong. You’re brilliant.

Ryan

Catching guru,

How’s Susac looking behind the dish? How far does he have to go?

livefreerdi

When do they do they write the story of this rare, extreme career collapse?

Bapah

You’re wrong if you think this is based on 13 INNINGS. It’s built on understanding baseball, pitchers and situations that occur while you play the game, not read about it. It about understanding players and their psyches. It’s about handling players during stress periods and helping to mold their thinking so they become better players and perform more consistently. Get a grip. You have to do more than read about the game to understand it. That said, nobody knows it all, but some do know more than others.

Howard Benner

How many chances does the Geek get? how many frustrated efforts do yo need to see?

I realize it would be next to impossible to implement & achieve but he needs to can that elongated stride & significantly simplify his delivery. . .as a long reliever. . .

Regardless of what kind of movement he possesses on his fastball pitchers who only register 89 & don’t hide the ball well have to be much more consistent with their delivery, hence location. . .heat & humidity bother him, his slider is inconsistent; then there is talk about his changeup. . .I’m so weary of it. . .

Pretty soon he’ll have to divest himself of more real estate as he’ll have to get a real job. . .it was a nice run while it lasted but other than two no no’s against teh Fathers he hasn’t done much since he was in Cy young form. . .that seems like a millennium ago. . .

carmot

I think Bochy WOULD use him that way again. I’ll remain skeptical as to Timmy’s success. Don’t have him come in w/ men on base. Hope he has a good first inning out of the pen. Hope he doesn’t give up the long ball. All in a tight game? That’s a lot to hope for. I think I’d prefer my chances w/ Machi or Romo before the 9th. Or almost anybody else for 2+ innings. YMMV.

carmot

Wow, I’m wrong again! Darn.

Bapah

Crappy and terribly out of character. Looks like he’s pressing as much as Timmy today.

paul in p.v.

Jeesum – take it easy.

Howard Benner

Wouldn’t TSA have confiscated that? Gotta be a Wahlgreens in the D.C. area. . .

Ryan

so, good in his other starts?

Leo the Lip

Gray and Lwster are good.
Trade looking better.

Pagoda

He’s been an awful starter for two and a half years. You’re really stretching the definition of a funk.

paul in p.v.

Dogers winning again – it’s over… :o/ snorkel

paul in p.v.

Not any more Surf. Can’t throw strikes. Boocoo runs every game in the first inning. No confidence. Ya no puedo mas. It’s over. Bench him.

Ryan

Pesky Halos. Lester = stud. Gray=stud. Kazmir=pretty darn good. Samardjiza=horse with amazing stuff
Hammel=not as good as early in year.

Bapah

It’s understandable, you’re just learning the finer points of the game. If I knew Timmy better, I’d have more useful and relevant suggestions, but I’m just a fan who can only use what I can pick up on the outside and integrate with my own in-game and practice knowledge of baseball and the players.

carmot

You too pac. I try to remind myself that we’re all working towards the same goal: having the Giants be great. That said, we can vary on opinions. That’s what it’s all about. Apparently some feel their opinion is the only possible truth. But oh well. The different ideas and good knowledge by most is quite nice. Cheers.

DrLefty

I’d like to see him with more of the staff before drawing any conclusions…pretty rough treatment for a rookie to put him with Lincecum every single time. Too bad Cain’s out. One thing I’ll say for Cain, he has a positive attitude about whatever catcher he works with. He always makes a point of giving the catcher props after he has a good start.

paul in p.v.

He doesn’t go sideways to effectively block wild pitches with the glove down. Tries to back hand them – not so good…

carmot

You must be really tall. Are you really tall?
It seems to be part of your character to talk down at everyone.

Eleuthero

Yeah, Mets only have one AB left. Sigh. If I thought we could hit Kershaw or Greinke in our head-to-head matchups I’d be more optimistic about the Division but I’m thinking we’ve just got to try to be one of the two wildcards. This means really beating up on our lowly intra-division foes.

Michael Scott

I think he’s taking “pitch to contact” a little too literally 😉

DrLefty

That’s what it always comes back to with you. Here’s the equation:

1) Belt is a cost-controlled homegrown young hitter.
2) Bochy just said yesterday that Posey’s not moving off catcher anytime soon (read: NOT 2015).
3) The Giants have to spend big $$ on Pablo, a LF, and a fifth starter.
3) Belt will be the starting 1B on the 2015 Giants. He may be the starting LF on the 2016 Giants.

Bapah

His problem coming in to the pros was technique and it improved significantly. Now his technique is regressing (pancaking low pitches) and his hitting is falling off. Hence my diagnosis of pressing.

Eleuthero

I agree, Howard. These guys get paid waaaaay too much moolah to let sentiment get in the way. I mean, geez, if you’re the highest paid secretary in a secretarial pool and you perform the worst for 3 years guess what … you’re fired!! I run short of patience with this “loyalty” idea when this guy is essentially stealing $35M from the fans who generate the revenue that pays his salary. Enough.

Bert Blyleven on KNBR said the 100 pitch limit was essentially bullbleep. I’ve always wondered about the ice thing. If your arm feels inflamed then go with your instincts and ice up because ice reduces blood flow which produces the redness we see on inflammations. However, if it doesn’t feel inflamed then I don’t get doing ice as a “ritual”. Blood brings platelets and proteins to heal micro-damage that ALL physical efforts cause. Why you’d want to reduce blood flow is a mystery to me.

DrLefty

Disagree with “stealing.” If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at Sabean et al. for throwing way more money at him than anyone else would have. I love him and I wanted him back, but even I was shocked at the price tag. Can’t blame him for taking the money offered to him. Who wouldn’t?

Howard Benner

Just a metaphor for “see ya later from the show. . .”

The Dead Sox think they can change Escobar’s delivery & turn him around; surmise any number of other MLB teams would think they could do the same with “Geek. . .”

Howard Benner

The thing with the giants is it seems they give vets every single last chance to prove themselves. . .

This no doubt adds to the confidence of the guys in the clubhouse; no fear for their jobs because they know Boch & Sabes have their collective back; but the Giants are in a pennant race down their alleged #2 starter (Cain)for the count & there are no reserves on the horizon. . .

Howard Benner

Hope he saved his pennies. . .

carmot

I’ve wondered how long before pro athletes start using platelet-rich infusions or whatever for recovery. Different scale, but the same idea as oxygen on the sidelines of NFL games. I could be way off base, but maybe won’t seem like anything but ordinary in 15 more years?

Eleuthero

You’ve got a point there. I think I’d have a cardiac if a pro athlete said: “You know, I’ve stunk it up for a while so drop your offer by five mil, okay?”

Michael Scott

It’s not the play offs where he can fire away, such as it is. There’s no way he’d withstand the 60-70 game load that a reliever faces. IMO the only reason he signed for two years was to try to rebuild his value for a long term deal. It’s unlikely to happen as a starter, there is zero way it happens if he’s reliever I think .

Yepper, we’re a club being held together with chewing gum, bailing wire, and the grace of God in the form of rookies we expected little of winning games for us. And let’s not downplay Vogey’s late season revival, too. Ain’t it amazing that we’ve still got a real chance with all our woes?

YogiBarrister

Mike Scott isn’t even Mike Scott, but his programmer is better than yours.

carmot

Oh the irony. “YOU” are basically some proxy server, I presume. You realize that dumping ice water on said proxy server… would basically ruin your day? All your “fun” here would be gone. As in, no more.

Eleuthero

Officially over … Doyers up 4.5.

DrLefty

He sure has (been nails, that is). When you look at his overall stats, he’s been just as good on most peripherals as he was in 2012. And takes the ball every five days at 37 and had his first ever nine-inning complete game.

After his awful April, he’s arguably been the 2nd best starter on the staff after Bum.

giantc

He is 43 out of 47 starters in the NL among qualified starters in ERA. In 2013 he was 38 out of 43 and in 2012 he was 46 out of 46. How Sabean gave him another $35M is beyond me. He had statistically been one of the worst starting pitchers for two seasons and he was given $17.5M for two more years. He is now statistically been one of the worst starting pitchers for three straight seasons. He had a good stretch this year, but that appears to have been fools gold again.

That money could have been spent on Abreu or Kazmir and then this team would be playing for the NL West and not the wildcard.

Eleuthero

TRK … I seriously doubt that a single member of this blog would want Timmy being the starter of the WC game. Many love Timmy but they have not descended into madness.

Michael Scott

The division is out of each? Absurd

Chris

Between Cain and Lincecum I’m not sure which was a bigger waste of tons of $$$$$$$$$$. I’ll go with Pain Cain becasue his deal is richer and longer. But signing Timmy was simpl yto sell marketing trinkets and even more thanks for his star results in 2008/2009/2010 and the 2012 playoffs. Timmy and the 90 mph fastbal land loust control he owns now have been a huge liability and lousy starter for almost 3 years. I’m done with seeing it. He’s hurt the team big time for several seasons. Stop millktoasting this and absorbing terrible start after terrible start. Demote him to bullpen and get someone else starting in his place. Should have-been last offseason but the Giants brass chose selling garbage at concession stands over sound baseball card results. They often do this and then wonder – gee golly we didn’t know he stunk – riiighhttt.

Bapah

You certainly did.

Ryan

Escobar has plenty to work with. A strong 22 yr. old lefty that can hit 95.

Not so much for Lincecum. At least he has a splitter which can come in handy in relief.

Eleuthero

I don’t believe you.

Chris

I guess you like seeing 8 ERA pitchers struggle and lose. THAT is what Timmy is doing and it’s killing us.

Chris

I am mad at Sabean – Timmy’s true market value was sub $5M and a bullpen slot. Idiot Sabean coughed up $17+ million for this and NEXT season – oh lordie. Lunacy on both fronts. We are stuck with Timmy for 1 more season after this his 3rd terrible one in a row.

Eleuthero

I wonder why Baggs doesn’t like CSN? Not that there’s any shortage of reasons. Just curious.

Ryan

All knotted up in the AL West. So I guess Angels now have waiver priority based on last year’s record??? C’mon down, 2 slices. That will be fun to see him going against his old team with a former team.

Didn’t Lincecum throw a no-hitter this year? What’s that worth these days? And hasn’t Colon tossed a no-no?

DrLefty

I challenge people to stop challenging people to take the Ice Bucket Challenge. Glad it’s raised money for ALS. ALS is an awful disease and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. I hope and pray that good research brings a cure and ends suffering.

But has anyone stopped to consider that there’s a limited pool of people and funds to donate to worthy causes? And that major bucks donated to ALS means less donated to heart disease research, cancer reseach, malaria nets in Africa, clean water in third world countries, etc., etc.?

People should donate where their heart and their conscience directs them, not because some social media fad makes ONE disease and one charity the flavor of the month.

I just read in a cooking magazine something called the “Drop Your Pants” challenge. Seriously. Sponsored by Depends to raise awareness/money for people who…I guess have medical conditions requiring Depends. There was a photo of a female celebrity in a T-shirt and just her panties. What’s next, flash your ta-tas for breast cancer?

Chris

He was ‘dealing’ against a bunch of gloried AA hitters named the San Diego Madres. Then he had 2 good starts proving every blind mouse can find some cheese sometimes. Move on demote him to bullpen. Johnny All Staff his starts from now on.

thefarnz

Yeah, look here’s ketchup/Sam/runnittt along with Woj/Chris now that they have something to glom onto…a Giants loss. Aren’t you guys the best!!
Well done. Now go home to your Mommies and say a prayer for all the good guys…aka the Giants!!

Chris

Timmy was ‘dealing’ against a bunch of gloried AA hitters named the San
Diego Madres 2 months ago. Then he had 2 good starts proving every blind mouse can
find some cheese sometimes. Move on demote him to bullpen. Johnny All
Staff his starts from now on – there’s a wild card to go win.

Howard Benner

I had stopped following the Giants after their “Nestea Plunge (that does significantly date me. . .).” I

mmmm, Kazmir would have slotted in so nicely. But they take care of their own and are leery of strangers.

Chris

Enjoying the 8+ ERA Timmy is heaving through last 6 weeks? I’m not.

Howard Benner

The days of a Stan Musial telling management “I under performed; give me less than I made last season” are dead & gone & are merely the trappings of far removed history. . .

That was a good 15 years or longer before I was even born; wonder if that was merely a rumor?! LOL

thefarnz

My Mother passed 11 years ago. You into necrophelia(sp)?

giantc

It is not out of reach, but wasting money on someone who has been one of the worst starters the last two seasons isn’t helping matters — that money could have been spent much more productively.

I also think he will be lousy in the pen b/c he has terrible control. I know he did well out of the pen in the playoffs, but I don’t seem being able to find his mechanics — he is such a mess right now and has been for a long time (minus a couple of good stretches). I think the playoffs was just one of those very rare good stretches over the last three seasons.

Eleuthero

I don’t see why we need “shtick” to raise money for ALS either. The neurological diseases (MS, ALS, Myasthenia Gravis, etc.) are proving to be the most resistant to being cured. If we get “Flash Your Ta-Tas for Breast Cancer” I want Jennifer Tilly as the … uh … flasher.

Bapah

How does one equate adjectives and nouns?

Ryan

there’s a tasteless funny spoof I’ve seen on my FB feed called strike out PMS, chug a beer.

The few times I had occasion to witness him seemed t he was pitching “scared;” doesn’t trust his stuff. . .

But he is a lefty & that ensures a modicum of job security, injuries aside for about the next 15 years. . .

thefarnz

I wish I could meet you in person Sam. I would end your miserable life. Yeah, you read that right!!

carmot

Can we at least wait to see Cain with much rest and no bone chips… PITCH before drawing conclusions? I was at Timmy’s no-no 2.0 and I still don’t want Timmy to start. But I also don’t want him in the bullpen. So one can conclude what one will of what I wish.

Here’s how I see things. If we had six pitchers, which five would be in our rotation next week? Choose one of the following: Hector Noesi, Jarrod Cosart, Mike Leake, Scott Feldman, Nick Kingham. Along with:

Bumgarner, Hudson, LIncecum, Vogelsong, Peavy

Obviously, my solution is to go get a fifth starter. NOT to excuse ourselves by saying we can’t do it or we don’t have anyone else. If that’s not possible, I’d add a secondary list: Chris Heston or Clayton Blackburn.

Michael Scott

Although it’s no testament to his pitching, they are 15-11 in his starts. He’s hardly killing them.

thefarnz

My question was for you, mouse.

Bapah

A lot of it is “framing” nonsense. Young guys are taught to frame every possible pitch, but you can’t frame with the glove fingers down.

Bapah

It’s all about “anticipation”

thefarnz

I wouldn’t need a knife.

Bapah

You’re such a Negative Nellie.

Eleuthero

Hmm. That’s too bad. I like a non-shouting type of guy who calls ’em like he sees ’em. In fact, I like him better than anyone else in the CSN studio.

Bapah

Everyone had a shi**y day today.

lolSabean

I hope not.

Bapah

I do the positive negativism thing too. I just assume everything I really want, I won’t get. If I can truly believe it will fail, it will surely turn out OK. I love being wrong, or rightly wrong… or something like that.

thefarnz

Not yours!!

thefarnz

I’m not Christian.

Michael Scott

As I said then, Timmy was a huge overpay. But of course I was excited when he seemed to be turning it around. And not just against the Pads Obviously he’s regressed since mid-July but I just don’t see them taking him out of the rotation for more than a start or two. That’s not what I want, it’s what I think they’ll do, or rather won’t do.

Bapah

I’m OK with that. Since when is it all not a game of numbers and phoney PR? I would only give money to the one’s that use the money effectively and efficiently and affect me personally. On the other hand, I find ta-tas informative and entertaining. It certainly isn’t the victims of these maladies that has to do the ta-ta thing to raise money. It’s people that get paid to humiliate themselves.

Vegas Giants Fan*

Currently the Giants have one of the two Wild Card spots. St.Louis has the other. Right now that’s all that matters. Tonight’s game is over. On to the next one tomorrow. Forget about the Dodgers. Just hang on to one of the two playoff spots. That’s the goal. One game at a time.

Go Giants.

Bapah

This is one instance where drug testing has ruined a player and the drug was NOT performance enhancing. (except in Timmy’s case)

Michael Scott

Eleuth, I wanted Timmy to start the home opener out of respect
for his contributions here. I’ve never said that Blanco should start instead of Pagan. And I don’t want Timmy to be starting now, I just think that they’ll skip a start or two. Not that it’s my druthers.

Anti-Lasorda

Timmy to close.. call up Crick

Matthew

Sam, you really need a mate, hobby, life. Not funny, barely clever on occasion. Always rude , insensitive, and looking for fights. But, really predictable and very boring.

Matthew

Hey, where have you been? You OK?

Maybe Crick next weekend on 9/1

Anti-Lasorda

I’m in! I

Michael Scott

The division is hardly out of reach. A one game WC playoff is a consolation prize, not a goal. IMO.

Anti-Lasorda

Thats a good call, give Timmmy 1 more at home against Colorado and then let Crick take his spot in Sept

Anti-Lasorda

Who is the bigger loser, the loser or the loser that harasses him?

carmot

Replace our closer that has a 1.59 ERA and sub-2.00 ERA over the past two seasons combined with Lincecum who has a 9.49 ERA in his last 6 starts?

Crick starts instead? Although he has a 4.85 ERA and .368 OBP in his last 7 starts at AA Richmond? Oh, we’re hosed.

Michael Scott

Crick has slipped behind a few other prospects as to his ETA.

Anti-Lasorda

Don’t confuse the issue with statistics…

carmot

Okay. We’d still be hosed.

KlutchUp

I’m a winner so I wouldn’t know.

Anti-Lasorda

Okay, pick AA prospect of the month not named Kickham…who is in AAA anyway…

Anti-Lasorda

With Timmy in the Tank we’re hosed anyway….

carmot

I realize you aren’t commenting to me, but that would be Clayton Blackburn- as I mentioned earlier. Yes please!

8 G: 1.88 ERA, 43.0 IP, 0 HR, 10 BB/45 SO, .213/.271/.260/.531

Anti-Lasorda

That’ll do nicely, DFA Arias off the 40 to make room and its a trifecta!

carmot

See… Here we go. I don’t want to subscribe to that… I’m NOT disagreeing with you. I’m saying we need to find a proper solution. Not just accepting that our options are so limited.

Trade for a prospect (who didn’t need to clear waivers), claim or trade for some good arm that passed through waivers, or call up Chris Heston or Clayton Blackburn. If we trade, I sure hope it isn’t for some rental. There are lots of guys out there. Sabean’s JOB is to find us one. A proper solution.

Michael Scott

I never supported giving him that contract. and I’m one of the few who don’t think he’d do well in the pen.I’ve posted that several times, probably dozens.

KlutchUp

@matthewsf27: @AlexPavlovic Sam is back as KlutchUp(which is reasonably funny), but lots of nasty language and threats, so hope u can delete the posts

KlutchUp

Thanks for ratting me out to Alex

KlutchUp

Liar. I made no threats. Farnz threatened me

Leo the Lip

He’s channeling his inner It_Run

carmot

Yes, nicely. Let’s hope. But *even if* Blackburn fails, we gain value… By evaluating young Blackburn for our 2015 rotation. That holds real value. None of it matters if we can’t get our offense to score runs anyways.

Arias, I wouldn’t mind a bit. But I won’t hold my breath on that one. This has been discussed, more likely would be Duffy or Duvall gets sent down. Or maybe somebody has to go from our bullpen to keep a 5-man bench? Uh-oh.

KlutchUp

You think every poster is Sam. And Sam is RI. Wrong on the both. No idea who this Ruben dude was from earlier.

KlutchUp

I like how you told Alex that KlutchUp handle was funny

Leo the Lip

2016 junior anti lasorda will be up before Crick

Michael Scott

What’s your point? Mine is simple-Crick is not going to be starting up here this year. Who might is irrelevant to the matter-it won’t be Crick.

KlutchUp

Durka durka Muhammad j I h a d

carmot

Dang, it’s like 1:40 am in Washington- Alex said, “thanks.” He responded? Geez, SJMN is really on a budget. lol.

KlutchUp

Matthew is the new Mike Scott. Texting and tweeting Alex all day and night.

The Oracle

I’m thinking of Lincecum and trying to come up with another pitcher who fell so far, so fast, at such a young age and without being injured. I can’t come up with one.

Leo the Lip

POTD

Anti-Lasorda

If the move is after 1 more Timmy start then you only need to make a 40 man move… Duvall and Duffy aren’t getting dropped from that, and after 9/1, anyone on the 40 can be in the dugout. Darren Ford anyone?

KlutchUp

I’m sure he wishes he never listened to Mike Scott and banned me. He unleashed the beast inside
Of me.

DrLefty

Ubaldo Jimenez? He’s in the bullpen now. Four years, $50 mil. In 2010 he started the All-Star Game. Half a year of good starts after 2 1/2 years of terrible and the O’s bought it. At least with Lincecum there was some hometown sentimental attachment. The O’s had no history with Ubaldo.

Anti-Lasorda

You’re 10 minutes too late being a pompous donkey….. at least you haven’t changed.

carmot

Didn’t we just face one? Francisco Liriano? Another of “our own” at one time.

Anti-Lasorda

Denny McClain…. fell further, faster.

DrLefty

Darren Ford’s not on the 40. The minor league OFs on the 40 are Brown, Perez, Parker, and Carbonell. I think they need another one soon. When you’re putting Ishikawa in left because you’ve already taken Morse out and Pagan got a tweak…well, it’s time for a fifth OF.

carmot

You should get that looked at, it must be uncomforable.

The Oracle

Liriano had one partial season where he was dominant, and he got injured, I believe. Jimenez was only good for two seasons, but only had an ERA under 3 once and was never as dominant as Lincecum. Lincecum was at the top of the short list for four seasons. He’s the freak for both the good and the bad.

Anti-Lasorda

I dunno, the slider is killing his elbow. Andrews said we should cool him down to avoid UCR before kindergarten….

The Oracle

McClain is a good one, but didn’t he get injured?

Anti-Lasorda

Brown looks awful vulernable on that list. Is Villalona still on? He’s another thin ice if so….

KlutchUp

I’ll give DR Lefty a call

Ryan

One of the best pitchers from May on last year. Kazmir’s fixes lasted post Cleveland. Not Ubaldo’s.

carmot

I don’t think you’ll find anybody that won back-to-back Cy Youngs at such an age that fell like Lincecum… The “so far, so fast” qualifier that you seek. How about another of our very own, J Sanchez? Averaged 3.75 ERA over three seasons, then lost all track of, well, everything… Brief stints in the next two seasons had an ERA close to 9.00.

MLBSF

Well it sounds like yet another disgraceful performance by Lincecum is causing many feuds and account cancellations just like I predicted.

It’s good to see KlutchUp back. I can’t handle all the responsibilities of printing the truth alone along with Chris. Believe you me.

Looks like I will be placing Matthew back on punishment ignore. Don’t try to stop meeeee Brownie. smh

carmot, Too funny how I believe you and many other people were arguing to me that Lincecum should be in the hall of fame. Dude doesn’t even have 100 wins.

This is the same group who tried to tell me Brandon Crawford deserved to start the all star game. smh

Leo the Lip

Same IP as
You
Rube
RI
SHB
SAllenMitchell
TRK
NN
NNN
NRI
MLB
The IT dept has the IP proof in black and white. You are hosed.

carmot

It is a curious case and query you pose. The fact that it isn’t injury related (as far as we know)… That’s the thing. This isn’t Johan Santana.

MLBSF

This is true

Ryan

Folks used to like comparing Lincecum to Ron Guidry. But Guidry remained pretty darn good into his 30’s.

carmot

When have I purported Lincecum should be in the HoF? I was mesmerized by his early rise and incredible start to his MLB career. It compared favorably to some of the most notable pitchers in history. But he hadn’t proven he could sustain it. HoF careers aren’t built on three years of greatness.

I said I was only “okay” with his signing this winter *IF* we still spent money beyond that. We didn’t. I wasn’t. I’m not.

Michael Scott

Steve Blass.

MLBSF

Ok my bad carmot

Leo the Lip

Please no Rosanne Barr or Joan Rivers

Btw Craigslist already does the TaTa challenge under Rants and Raves. TaTa Tuesdays.

A friend told me.

giantsfaninak

how bout Dwight Gooden

carmot

It’s alright, you sorted me wrongly into a crowd I didn’t belong. Cheers.

Ryan

that’s a pretty good one. injured his nose?

South City Jim

That was due to nose candy.

The Oracle

Blass and Gooden are pretty good examples, but their collapses can both be linked to specific problems. Gooden’s was drugs and Blass fell apart psychologically. You can’t really put your finger on the reason for what’s happened to Lincecum.

carmot

Yup. There you go.

Ryan

Physical stature and loss of stuff. He’s lost the elasticity that made him electric.

Vegas Giants Fan*

Football players wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (October) In fact, you see pink everywhere you look that month. Do you want to see that go away? September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. How come we don’t see baseball players (or football players when the season starts) wear blue during this month.

I get your point that there are more causes than there are people and money to go around. I say good to anyone that can raise money for any worthy cause.

It can get silly. Like that lady on the school bus that was bullied by the students. I think people raised almost $750K for her. Thankfully she gave a good portion of it to charity.

Bottom line. Giving to charity is a personal decision. Where I work my company does a tremendous job to raise money for various charities throughout the year, nationally and locally. They vary from $2 to $5 and you get 20-25% off your purchases for anywhere from one day to a week. Most people are happy to donate. (even if it’s just to get the discount) However, on several occasions I’ve dealt with people that are SO anti charity that they’d rather pay full price that donate $2.

Again, for me it’s a personal decision. What other people do (and feel about it) is theirs.

The Oracle

Maybe so. Maybe his is a delivery only someone who’s very young can be consistent with.

carmot

I hear soooooo many casual Giants fans reefer back to Timmy’s incident a couple years ago. You know the one… I’m not one to claim that’s a cause. But many seem to, I hear it a lot. You know, it’s even on t-shirts and such.

South City Jim

Maybe he should try to add a a cutter. Not sure if it would help unless he can command it better than his FB.

The Oracle

Then they ought to get him a mj card.

pacman68

Seriously, The Giants are still playing for something in Late August and probably all of September. That is great news. Hopefully Belt will come back and the team will get hot. I’m not really scared of anyone in the NL. Everyone is pretty banged up. We can still take this.

Ryan

the more the merrier. some pitchers can command the cutter/slider better than the 2 seamer.

carmot

All true as I see it. The “hopefully” part as well. Doubt we take the NL West. But the NL is weak tea, and (as you say) everyone is pretty banged up.

We CAN still take this.

Michael Scott

Steve even has a syndrome or disease devoted to his collapse. Probably one of the most mysterious cases ever, simply put he forgot how to pitch.” At the end of the 1972 season, Blass had a career record of 100-67, and was only 30 years old. He should have had many more years of success as a Major League pitcher.” Instead, in 1973 he fell off the edge of the Earth.

For any interested, it also relates to others like Babe Ruth, Rube Bressler, Johnny Cooney, and Reb Russell.

Leo the Lip

Herb Score

Ryan

That too. Oswalt with nice traditional power mechanics. Very strong foundation.

giantsfaninak

yea I think he still has some demons following him around

carmot

I have no way of knowing. I don’t like to accuse somebody of something that could be considered damning (by some). Quite simply, I know some attribute this… to some degree. I don’t really. Could be. But I don’t know.

Ryan

Any relation to Carmot’s guy, Bill Blass?

Chris

Cain is at fault for him missing the rest of this season. He, the Giants, and the doctors all knew of the bone chips going back to early 2013. When the Giants were mired in last place in mid 2013, it was THEN Cain should have been shelved and had surgery. I think Cain played doctor on himself and wanted to try and salvage a lousy 2013 for himself not the team so he posted 10 good starts in garbage time. Now, SF needs Cain pre 2012 and he’s having surgery now after a terrible 2014. He was signed to too rich of a deal for too long of a contract. He’s a career .500 pitcher for many reasons and doesn’t justify Greinke like money.

Ryan

A dream come true for owners/investors.

Bapah

Riiiiiight

Bapah

You forgot PD.

Leo the Lip

He said you are welcome

Chris

Timmy Meatballs pictured above. Surprised each of these didn’t land in the bleachers. That’s high 80s creampuffs for ML hitters. I sure hope EVERYONE has seen enough of this to finally quiet down the dwindling # of Timmy will get better crowd. Ummm no he won’t. He’s not pitching against the Madres any more.

Chris

Will Lincecum make his next start or the 5 after that? NO! Not if the Giants want to win a wild card.

carmot

Ryu is due back around 9/1. We’ll see. Last I read he isn’t close to pitching off a mound. Might need a rehab start. But we could see him in the first series. Dunno. But Hanley is a big part of their concerns. Uribe flat out seemed to beat us. With Dee Gordon.

Injuries will happen. We might face another (knock wood! Hope not!). Who knows. Any other team might. There’s a near certainty some team will in the closing 30+ games. Look at Machado, Soria, Allen Craig?, and Swish is out. Lots of others.

The Oracle

Got hit in the head with a liner.

Chris

Yep, they are ecstatic about more operating profits. First they short changed the bench for the entire season, made no trades of value at the deadline, lucked out and got a legit 2B on the cheap (Panik), have already sold a bevy of Timmy trinkets (so demoting him doesn’t matter much)..now the hope of Wild Card #2. Ca-Ching!

carmot

Not. My. Guy.

Name another designer. You’d be closer. Heck, pick any another given name and you’d be closer.

Matthew deserves it for ratting me out to Alex. Alex was in stage 3 REM sleep when awoken By Matthews Tweet

Michael Scott

But expected to break down early, as was Timmy.

The Oracle

He hurt his arm in ’71, but was probably on the way down, anyway.

KlutchUp

Give a shout out to Brownie for me. I am facing a lifetime ban after tonight.

Bapah

I really don’t talk down to many people, at all, just the Irwin Coreys I come across that are mis/un-informed. It isn’t meant disparagingly, but only to inform. As I do with players that are doing something incorrectly, I do with others that perpetuate fallacy and misinformation.

Ryan

sounds like a good nomination and a bizarre story but there is no true precedent.

Ryan

hans lagerfield, I dunno just messin’

South City Jim

Great point. Kind of like female gymnasts that are over the hill by age 20.

carmot

That’s Karl Lagerfeld. Produced many of his shows for Chanel.

Ryan

now you are sounding like Mavo, who pretty much nailed it (like a landing) 🙂

Bapah

Raggs did it and he will be an excellent teacher. On the contrary, I think Tim has no problem with lots of short work. In fact, I think he’ll thrive with that kind of load.

carmot

How much velo can long toss add? Chris better be standing in SF while Timmy throws from Seattle.

Bapah

In this case you are the expert and I would never profess to know or contribute anything of interest.

Michael Scott

That wasn’t the Oracle’s question. “I’m thinking of Lincecum and trying to come up with another pitcher who fell so far, so fast, at such a young age and without being injured. I can’t come up with one”
I doubt that anyone is close. But you’re probably too young to wrap your head around it.

South City Jim

I’m not feeling Lincecum against the Rox…they still have Blackmon, Arenado, Mauer, Dickerson and Lemiehue (spelling?). Truth be told he’s had good success against Tulo and Cargo.

Michael Scott

No one ever came up with what caused Steve’s collapse.

Michael Scott

Mauer? Maybe you mean Morneau.

Michael Scott

“lucked out and got a legit 2B on the cheap (Panik),”
Huh? They drafted and developed him. That’s luck?

KlutchUp

I will see you guys on the other side as SamHatesMatthew

Vegas Giants Fan*

Madison Bumgarner: splits home and away.

Home 12 GS – (4-6, 5.17) 21 BB – 72 K’s – .297 avg. against

Away 15 GS – (10-3, 1.86) 17 BB – 107 K’s – .209 avg. against

Since everything is always negative after a lose I might as well point out that Bumgarner had better turn this around or the Giants are hosed. Maybe Kickham (he’s on the 40 man roster) should take over his starts at home starting Sept 1. 😉

Leo the Lip

Pedro Martinez

South City Jim

Oops…yeah him.

Michael Scott

You are correct.88 to 91 without command is BP. I think it’s very simple- he can’t repeat his delivery with any consistency, he’s just worn out.

12xu

The pitcher is named Steve Blass.

Other pitchers who have been compared to him, in that they suddenly lost it, are Rick Ankiel, Mark Wohlers, Dontrelle Willis, Ricky Romero, and Daniel Bard.

Bill Blass is considered one of the great American fashion designers. Karl Lagerfeld is still the chief designer for Chanel. At one point in the 90s he was designing for Chanel, Chloe and his own line. And, IIRC, Fendi too. Chloe is now designed by Stella McCartney (yes, Paul’s daughter). I don’t think Lagerfeld has his own line anymore.

12xu

The pitcher is named Steve Blass.

Other pitchers who have been compared to him, in that they suddenly lost it, are Rick Ankiel, Mark Wohlers, Dontrelle Willis, Ricky Romero, and Daniel Bard.

Bill Blass is considered one of the great American fashion designers. Karl Lagerfeld is still the chief designer for Chanel. At one point in the 90s he was designing for Chanel, Chloe and his own line. And, IIRC, Fendi too. Chloe is now designed by Stella McCartney (yes, Paul’s daughter). I don’t think Lagerfeld has his own line anymore.

Vegas Giants Fan*

Non-pitchers: Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblauch. Very good second baseman that all of a sudden couldn’t throw the ball to first base. Knoblauch never recovered. Sax finally figured things out and led his league in fielding % and DP’s. (fans sitting behind first base started to wear batting helmets when Sax played)

12xu

Nose bourbon. The devil’s dandruff.

Leo the Lip

Bet your forehand and backhand is garbage

KlutchUp

They also drafted and developed Fire Adrianza. How did that work out?

12xu

So did he stop smoking? Or does he continue to? Nobody seems to know. Not judging you or Tim, just curious.

12xu

Ron Guidry! Louisiana Lightning. Won 25 games one year I think.

12xu

Yup. Spent some time in federal prison. Saw the pictures when he got out, was big as a house.

OMT

Dontrelle Willis

Michael Scott

I thought you said you worked on a project for Blass. Maybe I misunderstood.

12xu

I wondered if Jimenez was juicing that year. Dude had a video game-type year.

OMT

Then light it up!

OMT

Bud is not going to help him physically per se, but he says himself that his head is messed up. I guarantee… without a doubt, that bud will help fix his head. Which will then allow him to relax and just throw, so that is the physical help by mental relation. That could be the help he needs. Bud. Is. Medicinal.

Leo the Lip

Carm your an ex pro athlete so stop using
Brutal
Inexcusable
Terrible
The game is hard

KlutchUp

Timmy is garbage. He flamed out years ago.

Walter Guest

In answer to a question below, the first time I saw Lincecum pitch I said, “This is Jim Bouton all over again.”

Why don’t you let him speak for himself, considering you are still in the ClutchUp closet and all,

Doughnut

Great news to hear about my guy.

Michael Scott

Crick was a terrible choice, which you would have known if you had bothered to check him out.

KlutchUp

Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. You are closeted ClutchUp and I was the first one to expose you. Everyone else now belives you to be ClutchUp because of me, yet I am the bad guy.

Doughnut

I wonder if primarily working with Timmy is hurting him. He is one of the toughest, if not toughest, pitchers to catch in the majors. Its just not easy. Timmy don’t know where its going half the time. Its a tough assignment, but thats his job right now. I would like to see if he has the same issues with other pitchers.

OMT

Where does all this money people donate all the time for all these thousands of causes really go? Have “they” found a cure for “anything”? in my lifetime? Which is getting real close to 50 years, btw.

Michael Scott

Remember when there was a lot of talk of trading Timmy for Alex Rios? I think that was in the winter of 2007/2008. Fans and writers were pretty much divided. Of course Tim went on to win his first CY in 2008.
So the question is- would you do it now presuming all it needed was your approval ?

Doughnut

Just about to say the same thing.

Doughnut

Yeah, actually not a bad lineup for how bad a team they are and all the injuries. But maybe with the cool air and back at home and a little bit of pressure applied by the skipper through the press, they give another shot.

KlutchUp

This is a dumb question as no way Texas would take on 18 mil for Tim next year.

KlutchUp

I’m sure I will be deleted soon. For all those who will see this before then, be careful of Mike Scott and Matthew. They are a couple of rat Mother F’s. If you don’t believe check out the pics I’m about to attach.

KlutchUp

Here is a pic of Matthew following TheRealKetchUp on Disqus

KlutchUp

Here is a pic of Mike Scott following TheRealKetchUp on Disqus

KlutchUp

Do you remember when you ratted me out to Alex begging him to ban me for being fake Mike Scott. Turns out, I wasn’t him. I was busy working to pay for a da mn social security that I will never see. Alex took your work for it and now has to deal with this wrath that I bring. I’m sure he regrets it now.

KlutchUp

I make fun of Belt and get banned. Yet you got half a dozen people making fun of MLBSF. I will look forward to the response from Alex regarding this:

Just got to the ball park — now aware of the 11/2 hour gates opening — and guess what– its raining (again) What else is new. hope we get this one in.

I nominate MLBSF for the ice water challenge. I dont care if he contributes. I just think that he deserves having a bucket of ice water dumped on his head for predicting a Cubs ( and Nats?) sweep.

Apparently you can make all the enema jokes you want here. Just do not bring up Brandon Belt’s strikeout rate.

KlutchUp

Looks like I found a weakness in Alex Pavlovic’s game in trying to block me. He is not willing to stay up until 2:30 in the morning like me. Alex you could have avoided all this by not trying to appease Mike Scott.

KlutchUp

Alex are you sleeping. Wake up. This is post 73. Why have you not deleted me?

KlutchUp

Did I read correctly earlier this week that a prominent poster with a PhD wished that Yasiel Puig got shot by one of his mob friends and his career was ended at 23? Yet I am the bad guy here. Right Alex.

KlutchUp

Why does Alex allow all this other nonsense to go on, but tries to ban me. I make fun of Brandon Belt and get banned. You got other posters wishing players get shot. I look forward to Alex response to this. I attached a copy of said statement

KlutchUp

Good morning Matthew and Mike Scott. I left some cheese out for you rat mother F’s

KlutchUp

It’s funny how Matthew was so upset about my Belt rant that he quit posting for 10 days, but had ABSOLUTLEY zero to say when a poster hoped Yasiel Puig would get SHOT.

You are a fraud MATTHEW.

KlutchUp

I’m sure I will get banned before I wake up. With Alex being in the eastern Time zone, I hoping enough of you see what I posted before Alex deletes it and realize what is actually going on here. Props to those still fighting the good fight including MLBSF, Woj/Chris, and the other truth seekers.

Eat a fat d1 ck to all the haters out there including Leo/ ClutchUp, Bapah, Mike Scott, channelclemente, Matthew.

KlutchUp

Dang anyone else feel this earthquake?

BALDHEADSLIK1

I did and boy was it scary, lasted about 15 seconds. Pretty bad.

Jacob Singer

You’ve got an awful lot of energy invested in this.

KlutchUp

The earthquake was the wrath of SAM

KlutchUp

Yes I do.

Jacob Singer

It helps to have a job and a life. And mental health treatment. And maybe a….sex life?

That’s probably a bit much. Baby steps, oh MIGHTY INTERNET WARRIOR.

Jacob Singer

Your post was the wrath of you skipping your medication.

Jacob Singer

Congratulations. You have the obsessive memory of a psychotic female stalker.

KlutchUp

Yeah it was. I dozed off less than 5 minutes before and my bed and closet were shaking.

KlutchUp

I don’t take any meds. Mike Scott takes Viagra. You must of confused me with him.

Jacob Singer

I don’t confuse you with anyone but a psychotic in dire need of chemical intervention for a malfunctioning brain.

KlutchUp

I have no clue as to you you are. Glad I made such an impression on you to respond to me at 3:30 in the morning.

KlutchUp

Did Alex sleep through the earthquake?

KlutchUp

If you really thought I was psychotic, you wouldn’t be talking to me like this.

KlutchUp

You are posting at 3:30 in the morning. You are in No position to judge.

Jacob Singer

And you’ve been posting at 3:30….but you STARTED MUCH, MUCH EARLIER.
You’ve been doing this all night long, loser.

Jacob Singer

I had to get up earlier for a job, ( that’s how responsible adults feed themselves ) & I’ll be off in a few minutes. Have fun over the next 10 hours getting the “last word” in. .
According to the time stamp AFTER EVERY POST ( LOL—MORON) Apparently, you’ve been UP ALL NIGHT BATTLING YOUR INTERNET FOES!!!!!! RAAAAWWWWRR1!!!
I am in every position to judge you as a dipsh1t in need of a life.
Have fun getting one.

KlutchUp

I’m strung out. What’s your excuse.

KlutchUp

I ain’t a punk bit ch that has to work weekends.

KlutchUp

If I’m a loser, what’s that say about you. Wasting your time and breath on me.

KlutchUp

Thanks for working so hard and so early in the morning. I’m on welfare and get foodnstamps and glad you work so hard so I can eat steak and lobster.

Jacob Singer

It’s nice having a fixed income, isn’t it.

Jacob Singer

It says I got to you. Got you out of your comfort zone. Your mask is OFF. You’re one frustrated individual.

MLBSF

I just got on the internet after the big earthquake and I see that Jacob is having a terrible meltdown from the shock. smh

KlutchUp I will be putting many people on punishment ignore in protest of your persecution and such

Jacob Singer

STEAK AND LOBSTER!!!! HOW DARE YOU??!!!!

Jacob Singer

Meltdown? That’s interesting. Please explain.

MLBSF

I received many texts that you were losing your composure this morning. This terrible Giants team that is just about mathematically eliminated is causing so many people to have breakdowns. I swear. smh

Jacob Singer

LOL @ “many texts”. Okay man, whatever.

Efrain

Check out TKs new post on what to do with TL. Doesn’t dance around the subject like other writers. It’s time to get it done…

DrLefty

Pretty close to you, wasn’t it? Woke us up in Davis. My sister lives in Napa, and their place is trashed–no power, furniture tipped, glass and china smashed. Scary.

HaakAway

Thanks for the tip. Yes TK hits it head on with the simplest move… trade roles with Petit. All the factors (importance of every start now, recent trends in performance, past proof that TL can pitch relief) seem to add up.

I’ve never read that guys stuff. He’s mainly got a Napolean issue. Lowell Cohn, Baggarly and Kawa all have issues when speaking with / one on one interviews with players. Coaches or owners. One Mr Al Davis employee still has a contract out for KaKaKawa.

Leo the Lip

American Canyon? Was that where the quake was centered?

Leo the Lip

Nope

Montana
Mays
Lincecum
Lott

All have same SF cache

DrLefty

Yes. My sister lives in Napa. Their place is trashed, no water or power. Lots of damage throughout Napa County. 🙁

HaakAway

I’m still going for my first cup of coffee … can you elucidate on your references to French and Football dictators?

Peter Johnson

Why do people think Lincecum all of a sudden will go to the bullpen and stop walking hitters and have great command of his pitches?

DrLefty

I guess because he did in the playoffs in 2012, and he was even worse as a starter that year?

Bapah

I doubt he will have as much fall-off in technique with others. Hey, but he’s a rook and think of the experience he’s gaining.catching the hardest there ever was. I just hope he isn’t mis-handled by the powers that be.

My opinion is that he’ll be fine and if he isn’t tough enough, he will be soon enough.

BALDHEADSLIK1

My wife and i woke up right as the earthquake began and it was a nice one,.felt like the bed was lifting off of the floor and rolling at the same time pretty scary yall felt like things were coming to a end somewhat, 12 seconds felt like a lifetime.

Ryan

they figure he’ll at least air it out and pick up a couple ticks on the fastball, making the splitter more effective.

I don’t think so. When he came up he didn’t think much about opposing hitters and hardly studied. He was a loose, pitch by the gut, type of pitcher. He was forced to study more and, of course, had to give up “getting loose” before a game.

Study and planning ruined an intuitive approach and messed with his head, where I think all of his problems come from.

Michael Scott

Rock and Roll up here. Nothing major damage wise- bookshelves, mirrors, etc. narrowly missed a serious injury when a picture fell off the wall on top of me. The glass broke , suffered a pretty minor wound/gash on my stomach. The wife and pets are fine. Had no idea it was that big until I started getting Emails asking how we were.

Peter Johnson

His only relief stint this year ,he was lucky not to walk every batter he faced, in 2012 post season he got a lot of k’s on pitches in the dirt, hitter are now taking those pitches forcing him to throw strikes. I am one of his biggest fans, but without command of his pitches it does not matter if he is a starter are a reliever he has no chance, he had a long stretch of great command of about 8 starts when he was one of the best starters in MLB.

Michael Scott

Because they are out of touch with reality.

Bleacher Bob

Maybe he and Petite will swap starts for awhile, giving each guy more rest. Lincecum seems to pitch better when very well rested.

DrLefty

Yikes. Glad nothing more serious happened. You still have power and water? Napa’s a mess.

Matthew

What up, Lucas. I know I’m on something called “punishment ignore”, but “about mathematically eliminated” is a slight bit of exaggeration.

Matthew

How about Sonoma? We have very good friends here in town this weekend for a party who have a house there…I’m sure they have headed back after this…hope no one got hurt? Any word?

DrLefty

My daughter lives in Rohnert Park and she slept through it. Your friends may have trouble with the roads–some buckled in Napa County. Bet a lot of people are headed out. This is high tourist season in Napa.

Peter Johnson

No he does not, the All star break was the worse thing to happen to him, he lost his grove with that time, he had a week between his Royals and Phillies start.

Bleacher Bob

And a race today at Sears Point.

HaakAway

Lefty points to a fact; you label any good work as “lucky”. If not long relief, what would you do with Tim?

DrLefty

They should head south on 101 and go through Marin. Stay away from 37, 29, 12, 121, etc.

Thanks..texting them now to see if they are doing OK (besides frazzled nerves, that is…)

winebaroness27

Sonoma County all good…
Big shaker but Napa was the epicenter
so not much damage here

winebaroness27

Can’t believe your daughter slept thru it…LOL !!
It was a big shaker

DrLefty

I sure woke up here in Davis. Oddly, though, my dog, who’s usually a drama queen, slept through it. A clap of thunder and she’ll throw all 70 pounds of herself on top of the nearest human, shaking like a leaf.

Matthew

Thanks , Baroness! Glad to hear…they won’t believe it until they see it, but good news nonetheless

Ryan

***NL Power Rankings***

Can’t argue with the Nat’s position. Some argument between the Dodgers and Brewers, but Brewers have health on their side. Cards are coming on with the bats of late. Giants did pretty well with bats and arms by OPS and WHIP for month of August. They have an advantage with about a baker’s dozen versus the two lowliest teams, but consider them in a dogfight with the Braves and Pirates for the last NL Playoff spot.

Leo, the problem is all three you sight along with Timmy were traded or allowed to leave…you know where I stand on it, but there is a chance he goes elsewhere

Bapah

He won’t be limited to long relief or short, he can do both (He’s a freak that way) Eventually he’ll be a “lights out” shutdown closer.

Bapah

Just talked to a few up there and several slept through it. Nuts, I know. Probably had to do with “pre-medication” issues.

DrLefty

The ranking looks right, but wow, look at the Dodgers’ OPS in August. It’s in the bottom third of the league. Their offense is pretty anemic against any kind of a decent pitcher. Tyson Ross almost shut them out the other night if not for a late homer by Turner.

Overall–lotta mediocrity there. It is surely the AL’s year.

DrLefty

That one relief stint this year was barely 48 hours after a start. In 2012, he made one start in the NLCS, but he didn’t appear again until Game 1 of the World Series, six full days later.

Loved the Tim K. column like usual. He echoes so much of what I have to say.

The Giants are now only a sad 10-10 so far this month. Even as banged up as Los Angeles is, they are pulling away. And the Dodgers’ schedule is easier than ours the rest of the way. Not looking good at all.

Bapah

Al Davis “employee”. That’s a screamer. This is where I fold one ear forward and push my nose to one side.

Peter Johnson

Hey A-H ,not lucky at all when he is on one of the best starters in MLB, but when he is off he is about the worse, and he is very fragile, when things go wrong he has a problem getting out of his own way. He rarely has average starts, usually really good ones, are really bad ones . He needs to find the command he worked on in the off season, and stop tinkering with his mechanics, if Righeti and Gardner can not help him, have him work with his dad to find his command.

Bapah

Take it easy, your compadre is gone now and it’s too late to walk the streets alone, Sweety.

Bapah

Dude, who are you talking to? Take the hint and stop responding to idiots.

HaakAway

Lesson learned from Loma Prieta EQ … If you find any structural damage, fix it ASAP before the government wakes up and makes it triple the cost by permits and over-the-top repairs. Glad you are okay.

Matthew

Tying yourself to Kawakami is not the best thing to do, in my opinion. But, to each his own.

Bapah

Original thought is not in your repertoire, Sis. Take a break, you’re alone now.

DrLefty

“Pulling away”? 10 days ago they were 6.5 up. Today they’re 4.5 up. I say just stay behind them until Aug 31 is over (waiver deadline) and then BOOM.

carmot

Hey Ryan. I think you might’ve meant Padres where you listed Cardinals a 2nd time? I’d think a little differently, but that’s what it’s all about. Mileage can vary.

Nationals
Brewers
Dodgers
Cardinals
Giants

Braves
Pirates
Mets
Padres
Marlins
Cubs
Reds
Phillies
Rockies
Dbacks

HaakAway

Agreed it is possible (i. e. Eckersley) but not this season. Isn’t it a perfect fit for now unless he goes on the DL for some reason.

Bapah

Sure, this season. He can do it anytime they want him to. He doesn’t need much rest and doesn’t fit the prescribed mold of pitching every fifth day. I’m tired of repeating myself; I’ve been doing it for over three years. Oh… and keep Chris out of it.

Bapah

EDIT: Keep Chris the hell out of it.

Matthew

Blanco leading off…ought to keep the blog lively this morning

Leo the Lip

Classless Post

Leo the Lip

Great Stuff as always Ryne-Ryno-Goldstein Burriss

Peter Johnson

Eckersley had the greatest control in the history of MLB, Timmy has very bad control, close to the worse in MLB , you can not come out of the pen and start walking hitters, and then throw a get it over the plate pitch for an HR. I am a nervous wreck in Timmy starts, I want him to do well so bad, and hate when he gets ripped in the Blog and on the radio, but until he fins his command and some control ,he needs to go to the mop up role in the pen.

Leo the Lip

My brother said power is back on.
Lives in Creekside neighborhood

Ryan

I believe that his August avg. is around .300 and his OBP is over .350. So they can put that in their pipe and smoke it. As for the baseball IQ question… I’m sure there’s some sort of August Stanford Binet for that, but Howard Gardner would gladly come to his aid.

Ryan

You betcha Leo the Lion in the Clutch.

Bapah

Don’t , it will go to his head. And you know where that it.

Michael Scott

* It’s settled, MadBum is going to the pen because he’s cheap

*With Vogey and Jake going today and tomorrow there will be no monkey business. And they MEAN it.

*4 out of the next 5- take that to the bank.

* Hate to say this- but should any our last 4 no-hitters count?

* If there was a depth chart to replace the Timster, it would go like this: Petit, Heston,

I said it a while back and will say it again, The criticism of Blanco is unwarranted. Since mid May he has been hiting 275+ and playing good D. And that is the 4th outfielder. He has stepped it up since the all star break with more regular playing time.

2holehitting

better hope so because St. Louis and Atlanta are going to win more than the Gmen by the end of the year

Doughnut

I could see some regression coming for STL. They have been getting by without Molina, but I am not sure the moves they made are enough of a boost. I see them as the same caliber of team as SF/ATL/PIT. This is anybody’s wildcard. None of these 4 teams is a lock to be in it or fall out of it.

I absolutely think the Giants have what it takes if they stay healthy. Lets hope for a strong sprint to the finish line like we know we are capable of. Maybe even give the banged up team down south a run for there money.

Doughnut

Yeah, one of the reasons I like Susac is I think he is mentally tough and motivated just like Panik. A high character guy. Bochy will test his rookies and humble them, the way it should be done. No harm is being done in my opinion, except that he may be a little sore the next day or few days. Toughen him a little bit. I like what I see overall.

Its a lot on his plate though overall. Trying to do such a good job with the staff and then on top of that also having to figure out Major League pitching for the first time ever. Where do you start? Not an easy task and its not meant to be. It will be a process but I like his mental strength to overcome it in the long run.

Leo the Lip

Luck
Luck
Luck
It’s always luck with you

paul in p.v.

Ok it’s a new day. Go Vogey. Just hate playing for a chance at a W/C – chicken feed – want to win it outright.

Vamos, Gigantes!

Leo the Lip

Baseball is a game of inches not chances.
Timmy remains a SF Giant.

paul in p.v.

Glad to hear yer ok! snorkel

paul in p.v.

Winnie’s a Calif. dog – used to R&R.

paul in p.v.

TK is the auditor of the sports desk – rides in after the battle to shoot the wounded.

Efrain

Explain….because he’s not surgarciating it as the other writers do? That’s just sensitivity and emotion clouding your logic. Funny how other writers say same and don’t get scorned on this blog

HaakAway

Thanks for the positive response. I have never looked at Eck’s numbers to see that. There are angles here to explore … who else threw his second No-Hitters in two years and then loses his starting role in the same year? I agree that mop up looks best right now, but I also wonder how being a Reliever changes a pitcher’s approach?